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VON workers ratify deal with no travel concessions

'Workers absolutely refused any further concessions from the agency.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Parry Sound (5 March 2010) - Parry Sound personal support workers for the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) have ratified a new contract following a decision by the employer to take travel time concessions off the table.

The members of Local 320 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) voted unanimously to accept a four-year deal after the VON shelved plans to force workers to travel up to 40 km per day without any payment for their time.

“Facing a four year wage freeze, workers absolutely refused any further concessions from the agency,” says OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They made it clear this was going to be their line in the sand.”

VON had maintained their costs would make them less likely to win the next home care competition. OPSEU is arguing such competitions are a race to the bottom and are driving skilled workers out of the home care sector.

The VON personal support workers have been without a contract since 2008 when they were divested from the local hospital. The new agreement runs to 2012.

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